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What You Should Know About Blood Exposure

Posted on Jul 27, 2017 3:50pm PDT

When you think of the term “blood cleanup,” getting a papercut
or a scratch from a cat might come to mind. Since dealing with bleeding
cuts and scrapes is a virtually inevitable part of life, it’s easy
to overlook the dangers of exposure to someone else’s blood. Unfortunately,
blood exposure can be dangerous, and trying to clean up the aftermath
of a crime scene or suicide by yourself places your health at risk. For risk-free
blood cleanup, it’s always best to call a professional biohazard cleaning company
in Orlando.

Types of Bloodborne Pathogens

A bloodborne pathogen is any sort of infectious microorganism that can
be transmitted through exposure to blood. Many dangerous infections can
be transmitted in this way, but some of the most notable ones are hepatitis
B and C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Hepatitis B can involve
mild liver inflammation, but it can also be severe enough to cause chronic
liver diseases, eventual liver failure, and death. Hepatitis C is in the
same family as hepatitis B, and it also causes liver problems. Infection
with hepatitis C carries a much higher risk of developing chronic liver
problems compared to a hepatitis B infection. Lastly, HIV is currently
an incurable, lifelong disease for which there is no vaccine. Although
people with HIV/AIDS are living longer than ever before, the
disease still claims millions of lives.

Risks of Bloodborne Pathogens

Infection with a bloodborne pathogen requires direct contact. For example,
in the aftermath of an assault, a person might discover splashes of the
other person’s blood on the skin. If there is a break in the skin,
the infection can spread. The break in the skin might be as large as a
laceration or as small as a scratch. Bloodborne pathogens can also spread
if the infected blood is splashed in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Steps to Prevent Blood Exposure Risks

When a crime or accident occurs, the first step to take is always to call
911. If the incident took place in your home, do not attempt to clean
up the scene—not even after the police finish processing the scene.
Instead, contact professional crime scene cleaners to handle it for you,
and be sure to see a doctor for a medical evaluation.